Digital image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a digital image forming apparatus, desired ones of different data stored in a hard disk are selected and given serial numbers in the order of selection. The data selected are linked and then output in any desired order without regard to the order in which they were written to the hard disk. The linked data are dealt with as a single job and printed on papers, OHP (Over Head Projector) films or similar recording media at a time. Further, the recording media may be stapled, punched or otherwise finished.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a copier, facsimile apparatus, printeror similar image forming apparatus and more particularly to a digitalimage forming apparatus.

A copier, printer, facsimile apparatus or similar image formingapparatus capable of forming images in accordance with digital imagedata is conventional. A current trend in the imaging art is toward adigital image forming apparatus including a memory, hard disk or similarstorage for dealing with a great amount of data or for implementingversatile functions. The storage allows, e.g., a facsimile apparatus toreceive data even when the apparatus runs out of paper or allows acopier to rotate, when a document and a paper to be deal are differentin orientation, its image forming device on the basis of the orientationof the paper.

However, the conventional digital image forming apparatus with the abovestorage processes each data stored in the storage as independent dataand does not link or otherwise associate them together. Although acombination copy mode is available with a modern digital copier forassociating a plurality of different data, it simply writes datarepresentative of two documents in the storage and then prints them outwhile superposing images. This brings about a problem that when imagesare present at the same positions on two documents, they are superposedon each other and render the resulting copy unusable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a digitalimage forming apparatus capable of linking a plurality of different databy making the most of the merit of a storage, and thereby implementingmore convenient and more versatile functions.

In accordance with the present invention, in a digital image formingapparatus including a storage for storing data, a plurality of datastored in the storage are capable of being processed by being linked toeach other in a desired order.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a control systemincluded in a digital image forming apparatus embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a specific configuration of an operationand display panel included in the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a basic picture initially appearing on thescreen of the operation and display panel during copy mode operation;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a document selection picture appearing ina stored file print mode;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a picture for allowing data read to bestored;

FIG. 6 demonstrates how the illustrative embodiment links a plurality ofdata;

FIG. 7 shows a part of the document selection picture relating to storeddata;

FIG. 8 shows a specific condition wherein stored data are selected andgiven a desired output order; and

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

While FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show various information appearing on the screenin Japanese, the information may, of course, be displayed in any otherlanguage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a control system included in adigital image forming apparatus embodying the present invention isshown. The image forming apparatus to be described is identical with theconventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus as to thegeneral construction including a document scanning section, an imageforming section, and a paper feeding section. The following descriptionwill therefore concentrate on features unique to the illustrativeembodiment. While the illustrative embodiment may be implemented as acopier, facsimile apparatus or a printer or a combination thereof, it isassumed to be a combined copier/printer.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control system includes a microprocessor 1 forexecuting a program assigned to the apparatus. An address, data andcontrol bus 2 connects the microprocessor 1 to a ROM (Read Only Memory)3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4, a nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) 5, an I/O(Input/Output) port 6, and a serial CCU (Communication Control Unit).The I/O port 6 is connected to motors, solenoids and other output loadsand sensors, not shown, included in the apparatus. The serial CCU 7interchanges signals with an operation and display panel 8.

FIG. 2 shows a specific configuration of the operation and display panel8. As shown, the panel 8 includes a screen 80. Arranged around thescreen 80 are numeral keys (enter keys) 81, a start key 82, a clear/stopkey 83, a program key 84, a reset/preheat key 85, an interrupt key 86, atrial copy key 87, and a set key 88.

Statuses and messages appear on the screen 80 during the operation ofthe apparatus. The numeral keys (enter keys) 81 bifunction as numeralkeys for allowing the operator to input a desired number of copies orsimilar numerical value and enter keys for allowing the operator to fixthe input numerical value. The start key 82 causes the apparatus tostart a copying operation when pressed. The clear/stop key 83 is used tocancel the input numerical value or to interrupt or end the copying. Theprogram key 84 is used to register or call settings of frequent use. Thereset/preheat key 85 is used to reset contents set or to preheat theapparatus; a preheat mode is set up when the key 85 is continuouslypressed for more than about 1 second. The trial copy key 87 allows asingle trial copy to be produced, so that the operator can see thequality of the copy. The set key 88 is used to change initial set valuesand operating conditions in accordance with the conditions of use.

The screen 80 is implemented by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with atouch panel. Circuitry for detecting touch panel keys and a coordinatesdetecting method are conventional and will not be describedspecifically.

FIG. 3 shows an initial or standard picture to appear on the screen 80when the apparatus is used as a copier. As shown, the initial pictureincludes display areas 80 a-80 g. The display area 80 a displaysinformation allowing the operator to select the kind of documents, copydensity, and special document feed. The display area 80 b displaysoperating statuses and messages. The display area 80 c displays linkedcopying when a desired unit is connected to the apparatus or displaysthe remaining capacity of a memory when such a unit is not connected tothe apparatus. The display area 80 d displays the number of documentswritten to the memory, the number of documents (sets) set, and thenumber of documents (sets) copied. The display area 80 e displaysinformation allowing the operator to select a sort mode, a stack mode ora punch mode. The display area 80 f displays the contents of registeringfunctions. The display area 80 g displays a magnification changingfunction, an editing function and other functions available with theapparatus.

From the copying operation standpoint, the screen 80 consists of a firstdisplay section (display area 80 a) relating to the handling ofdocuments, a second display section relating to the configuration ofcopies including a paper size and a magnification change, and a thirddisplay section (display area 80 e) relating to finishing. It is to benoted that the display area 80 d for showing numbers relating todocuments does not suit with the above classification and is excludedfrom the classification. Also, the first to third display sections aresimply illustrative and may overlap each other.

FIG. 4 shows a specific document selection picture appearing on thescreen 80 when a stored file print mode is selected. The stored fileprint mode is selected on a host machine connected to the copier inorder to print data (files) stored in a data storage. Basically, thisoperation mode belongs to the printer function. In the illustrativeembodiment, the above data storage is implemented by a hard diskincluded in the copier/printer.

In the picture shown in FIG. 4, the first display section shows adocument read key 31 for inputting a document read command. In thesecond display section, a message display area positioned at the top issimilar to the display area 80 b of FIG. 3 (although the content isdifferent). A stored data display area 32 is positioned below the abovemessage display area and capable of displaying up to five different datastored in the data storage. Specifically, the display area 32 is capableof displaying a user ID (identification), a document name, the number ofpages, a time and an output order data by data. In the specificcondition shown in FIG. 4, information relating to data appears on thetop column of the display area 32, showing that one data is present inthe data storage.

The third display section is located at the right portion of the screen80. In the third display section, a print condition key 33 is displayedin order to allow the operator to select desired printing conditions.The display area 80 d for showing numbers relating to documents ispositioned at the top of the third displays section, as in the pictureof FIG. 3.

To merge, e.g., a paper-base reference with stored document data, theoperator touches the document read key 31 in the picture shown in FIG.4. Then, a document read picture shown in FIG. 5 appears in place of thepicture of FIG. 4. After the operator has input necessary information inthe picture of FIG. 5, the copier/printer reads the above reference andwrites the resulting data in the hard disk.

The illustrative embodiment is capable of linking a plurality of datastored in the data storage in any desired order and handling them as asingle job. FIG. 6 demonstrates such a concept specifically. In theillustrative embodiment, when the operator inputs a desired data outputorder in the picture of FIG. 4, the data can be output in the desiredorder without regard to the order in which the data were written to thedata storage. The linked data to be dealt with as a single job may besequentially printed on, e.g., papers or OHP (Over Head Projector) filmsand then stapled, punched or otherwise finished. The data to be linkedinclude even document files and image data generated by the host machineand paper-base documents, references, drawings and photos read by thecopier/printer.

A specific operation will be described in relation to the screen 80 ofthe operation and display panel 8. FIG. 7 shows a part of the picture ofFIG. 4 relating to the data stored in the hard disk. As shown, threedifferent data “P17187”, “P-17190” and “SCAN-01” are assumed to bestored in the hard disk. The data “P-17187” and “P-17190” are documentdata output form the host machine while the data “SCAN-01” is image dataread by the copier/printer. These data are displayed on the screen 80 inthe order in which they were written to the hard disk. That is the topdata “P-17187” is the oldest data while the bottom data “SCAN-01” is thenewest data (see the dates and times of storage).

While the maximum number of data that can be displayed on the screen 80at a time is assumed to be five, six or more data can, of course, bestored in the hard disk. When six or more data are stored in the harddisk, use is made of scroll keys 34 and 35. For example, assume thateight data are registered at the hard disk. Then, the operator watchingthe first to fifth data, as counted from the oldest one, on the screen80 may touch the key 35 labeled “Next” in order to see the sixth dataand successive data. To see the preceding data (registered previously),the operator may touch the key 34 labeled “Return”. To delete any one ofthe data, the operator may select the data to delete and then touch akey 36 labeled “Delete”.

The output order of the data is determined by the order in which theoperator selects the data on the screen 80. Specifically, FIG. 7 shows acondition wherein the operator has selected the data “SCAN-01” first;the data “SCAN-01” is highlighted with a serial number “1” appearing atthe right-hand side of the data. FIG. 8 shows a specific conditionwherein the operator has selected the data “P-17187” and “P-17190” inthis order after the data “SCAN-01”; serial numbers “2” and “3” areShown at the right-hand side of such data. As a result, the data“SCAN-01”, “P-17187” and “P-17190 will be sequentially output in thisorder.

When the operator selected the data in the condition shown in FIG. 8touches the print condition key of the third display section, FIG. 4, apicture showing various print conditions appears on the screen 80. Theoperator may select stapling, punching or similar finishing in thepicture. Subsequently, the operator inputs a desired number of copies orsets of copies on the numeral keys 81, FIG. 2, and then presses thestart key 82.

To change or cancel the output order selected, the operator againtouches the data or presses the mode clear key 83, FIG. 2. For example,assume that the operator selected the data “SCAN-01” first (serialnumber “1”) change the output order to “P-17187”, “SCAN-01” and“P-17190” (serial numbers “1”, “2” and “3”, respectively). Then, theoperator again touches “SCAN-01” to cancel it (“1” disappears), touches“P-17187” to select it (“1” appears), touches “SCAN-01” to select it(“2” appears), and touches “P-17190” to select it (“3” appears).

As stated above, the illustrative embodiment is capable of linking aplural ity of documents (data) stored in the hard disk and handling themas a single job. It is therefore possible to make the most of the meritof storing means and implement more convenient and more versatilefunctions.

The data to be handled as a single job are not limited to document data,but may even be image data output from, e.g., a personal computer ordata read out of paper-base documents, references, drawings, etc. Thehard disk shown and described as playing the role of storing means may,of course, be replaced with a semiconductor memory, DVD (DigitalVideoDisk) RAM or similar memory.

The illustrative embodiment has concentrated on a multiplex machine inthe form of a printer/copier. The present invention is similarlypracticable with any one of or any other combination of a copier, aprinter or a facsimile apparatus. For example, in a combinedcopier/facsimile/printer machine, the present invention is capable oflinking received data and documents, references or similar documentfiles.

Another procedure for allowing the operator to select the output orderof a plurality of data and representative of an alternative embodimentof the present invention is as follows. In FIG. 7, three data are storedin the hard disk. To change the output order of the stored data, theoperator uses either one of the keys 34 and 35. To delete needless data,the operator uses the key 36. For example, when two of five stored dataare needless, the operator selects them and touches the key 36 in orderto delete them.

In FIG. 7, the data “SCAN-01” is highlighted. To give the data “SCAN-01”the serial number “2”, the operator touches the key 34. As a result, asshown in FIG. 9, the data “SCAN-01” is brought to a position between thedata “P-17190 and the data “P-17191” while new serial numbers aredisplayed at the right-hand-side of the three data.

To output the data in the order shown in FIG. 9, the operator selectsall of the three data in the picture by touching them. Subsequently, theoperator touches the print condition key 33, FIG. 4, in order to see thepicture showing various printing conditions. The operator may selectstapling, punching or similar finishing in the same picture. Theoperator inputs desired printing conditions, then inputs a desirednumber of copies on the numeral keys 81, and then presses the start key82.

In summary, it will be seen that the present invention provides adigital image forming apparatus having various unprecedented advantages,as enumerated below.

(1) The apparatus is capable of linking a plurality of documents (data)stored in a storage and handling them as a single job. It is thereforepossible to make the most of the merit of the storage and implement moreconvenient and more versatile functions.

(2) Only desired ones of data stored in the storage can be selected andprocessed.

(3) When the data to be linked include image data produced beforehand, ahigh quality file with the image data added to document data isachievable.

(4) When the data to be linked include image data read by an imagescanning function, a paper-base reference, for example, can be easilycombined with a document. This further enhances the quality of a file.

(5) When the linking operation includes finishing for finishingrecording media, it is possible to save time and labor necessary forfinishing and therefore to enhance productivity.

Various modifications will become possible for those skilled in the artafter receiving the teachings of the present disclosure withoutdeparting from the scope thereof.

1. In a digital image forming apparatus including storing means forstoring data, a plurality of data stored in said storing means arecapable of being processed by being linked to each other in a desiredorder.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plural ity ofdata to be linked are capable of being selected out of data stored insaid storing means.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein theplurality of data to be linked include image data produced beforehand.4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of data tobe linked include image data output by an image reading function.
 5. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an operation for linking theplurality of data includes finishing.